my daughter had an infection near her cuticle. We treated it at home per the advice of a family friend that used to be an RN. We were advised to soak the finger in a solution of 50 % water and 50% hydrogen peroxide. It took some work but the infection went away. She took a bath which caused the top layer of skin to peel off but otherwise it looked that it was healing fine. The next day the nail looked cloudy so I thought the infection was under the nail. when I took a closed look I sw that the nail was coming off! I tooke her in right away and the Dr. confirmed that we did a good job of killing the infection but in the process the hydrogen peroxide may have killed the nail, there is a chance that it may not grow back! The part of the nail that is detached is the side where there was an infection. She said that we should try to attach it back to the cuticle and keep it bandaged with antibacterial onitment on it for a few days. The Dr. said that this is different than when you lose a nail from an injury for whatever reason. Initially my daughter said there was no pain and she could not feel it when I touched the nail. But when the Dr. trimmed it she said it hurt a bit and also when I bandaged it and there was also a tiny bit of blood? I thought that may have been a good sign?
I'm completely freaking out and I feel terribly guilty.
Any one have a similar experience? Did the nail grow back?
My mom used to pick the corners of paper and pushed her nail bed back so far that her nail was barely hanging on. She started to do it only with one finger and cut back the bad habit and her nail beds did reattach! So there is a good chance that it could happen. She's young, healthy and a nail is minor. Odds are it will be fine.
My sister had a similar experience. Her nail did grow back...but it took a LONG time for the nail to look normal again.
It will be okay.
It will take 6-1 months for the full recovery of the nail bed and nail. Hydrogen peroxide isn't really used much by modern medical prectitioners so you may want to ditch it for future used. A good washing with soap and water and antibiotic ointment & bandaid would have been just perfect.
But from experience I can tell you it will be nearly a year before her nail will begin to look normal. But it should become normal eventually. The other option is to see a hand specialist or, believe it or not, a foor doctor since they are very involved with nail care. (It may not be covered under insurance since it's a foot doc caring for a hand).
Good luck and do not beat your self uop over this - it's a finger nail not cancer. We mom are way too quick to take on unmerited guilt!
